Cleaning system

Abstract

This technology allows businesses other than the manufacturer to clean containers under the manufacturer's control. [Solution] The cleaning system comprises a cleaning device that performs a cleaning operation on a container, a control device that controls the cleaning operation of the cleaning device, and a management device that manages the control device, wherein the control device and the management device can communicate with each other via a network.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , , ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technology of a cleaning system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a system in which a user of a printing device pays a fixed fee in advance for a predetermined maintenance contract period, and when consumables are replaced within the contract period, the user can receive the supply of consumables without paying the actual cost of the consumables (Patent Document 1). In this system, a printing device owned by a user, a management device that manages information of the printing device, and a server that manages a maintenance contract and delivery of consumables using the information obtained from the management device communicate with each other via a communication network. Thereby, consumables corresponding to the usage status of the printing device are provided to the user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Generally, a technique of collecting, cleaning, and reusing used ink containers is known. The inventors of the present application conceived of providing users with refilled products obtained by refilling ink into the washed containers by combining a technique of reusing the washed containers in a conventional system. However, when collecting and cleaning used ink containers in a first country, exporting the washed containers to a second country different from the first country, refilling the ink, and producing refilled products, environmental regulations must be considered. Such problems are common not only to consumables associated with the use of printing devices such as ink containers, but also when collecting, cleaning, and reusing containers that can be refilled with contents.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] (1) According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a cleaning system is provided. The cleaning system comprises a cleaning device that performs a cleaning operation on a container, a control device that controls the cleaning operation of the cleaning device, and a management device that manages the control device, wherein the control device and the management device are able to communicate with each other via a network. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] Conceptual diagram of a resource recycling system. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing the configuration of the cleaning device in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] A block diagram showing the configuration of the cleaning control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] A block diagram showing an example of a refill device. [Figure 5] A block diagram showing an example of a refill control device. [Figure 6] A block diagram showing the configuration of the control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Conceptual diagram of a product management table. [Figure 8] Conceptual diagram of the business management table. [Figure 9] A flowchart illustrating the cleaning management method in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] A flowchart illustrating the details of the authentication process in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] A flowchart showing the details of the cleaning process in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] A flowchart showing the details of the cleaning preparation process in the first embodiment. [Figure 13] A first flowchart showing the details of the cleaning operation process in the first embodiment. [Figure 14] A second flowchart showing the details of the cleaning operation process in the first embodiment. [Figure 15] A flowchart showing the details of the performance management process in the first embodiment. [Figure 16] Flowchart showing details of the count calculation process in the first embodiment. [Figure 17] Flowchart showing details of the classification process in the first embodiment. [Figure 18] Flowchart showing details of the warning output process in the first embodiment. [Figure 19] Flowchart showing details of the cost calculation process in the first embodiment. [Figure 20] Block diagram showing the configuration of the cleaning device in the second embodiment. [Figure 21] Block diagram showing the configuration of the cleaning control device in the second embodiment. [Figure 22] Block diagram showing the configuration of the management device in the second embodiment. [Figure 23] Flowchart showing the cleaning management method in the second embodiment. [Figure 24] Flowchart showing details of the cleaning degree determination method in the second embodiment. [Figure 25] Flowchart showing details of the warning output process in the second embodiment. [Figure 26] Block diagram showing the configuration of the management device in the third embodiment. [Figure 27] Flowchart showing the cleaning management method in the third embodiment. [Figure 28] Flowchart showing details of the quantity identification process in the third embodiment. [Figure 29] Flowchart showing details of the supply quantity calculation process in the third embodiment. [Figure 30] Block diagram showing the configuration of the management device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 31] Flowchart showing the cleaning management method in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 32] Flowchart showing details of the count calculation process in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 33] Flowchart showing details of the warning output process in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 34]A block diagram showing the configuration of the control device in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 35] A flowchart showing a first example of the warning output process in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 36] A flowchart showing a second example of the warning output process in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 37] A flowchart showing a third example of the warning output process in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 38] A block diagram showing the configuration of the control device in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 39] A flowchart showing the details of the warning output process in the sixth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] A. First Embodiment: Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of Resource Recycling System 1. Resource Recycling System 1 is a system for repeatedly providing users U of the printing device 900 with consumables associated with the use of the printing device 900, such as ink cartridges and ink bottles. In Resource Recycling System 1, new products NP, which are produced at the factory of producer MA and assigned product identification information such as lot numbers and serial numbers, are first distributed to the market. Users U pay producer MA a fee MO, and new products NP are provided to users U. Of the new products NP, ink containers IS that have become used due to the decrease in ink IN as used by users U are collected free of charge or for a fee, depending on the usage status of the printing device 900 and the request from users U. The collected ink containers IS are cleaned at the factory of cooperating company PA, which has a cooperation agreement with producer MA and has a factory in the same country C1 as user U. After cleaning, the ink containers IS are exported from country C1 to country C2 where producer MA's factory is located. The cleaned ink containers IS are then refilled with ink IN at the manufacturer MA's facility, thereby being recycled as refill products RP. The refill products RP are exported again from country C2 to country C1, and then re-entered the market in country C1. User U pays manufacturer MA a fee MO, and the refill products RP are provided to user U. This process of collecting used ink containers IS, recycling them as refill products RP, and providing them to user U is repeated, resulting in the ink containers IS being recycled across national borders. Products NP and RP, which are consumables associated with the use of the printing device 900, may be sold to user U through cooperating company PA, or through intermediaries other than cooperating company PA, such as sales agents for manufacturer MA. Furthermore, used ink containers IS from products NP and RP may be collected directly by cooperating company PA, collected by a collection company (not shown), or collected by user U by sending them to cooperating company PA or a collection company. To increase the amount of ink containers IS collected from user U, user U may be given benefits in proportion to the amount of ink containers IS collected.

[0008] In this embodiment, user U pays manufacturer MA a fixed fee in advance for a predetermined maintenance contract period. Through this maintenance contract, various information, such as the usage status of the printing device 900, is shared from user U to manufacturer MA via network N1. Furthermore, various information, such as the recovery status of ink containers IS, is shared from cooperating company PA to manufacturer MA via network N2. Based on the various information shared by user U and cooperating company PA, manufacturer MA determines the quantity and timing of refill products RP to be provided to user U. Then, manufacturer MA creates a production plan, such as the planned quantity of ink containers IS to be cleaned by cooperating company PA and the planned production quantity of refill products RP by manufacturer MA, according to the quantity and timing of refill products RP to be provided. In accordance with the production plan, manufacturer MA supplies cooperating company PA with materials PT used for cleaning the ink containers IS. Materials PT used for cleaning the ink containers IS are, for example, cleaning agents DG for cleaning the inside of the ink containers IS. The cooperating company PA uses components PT supplied by the manufacturer MA to clean a number of ink containers IS corresponding to the number of cleanings planned by the manufacturer MA. The manufacturer MA then uses the ink containers IS cleaned by the cooperating company PA to produce a number of refill products RP corresponding to the planned production quantity, and provides the refill products RP to the user U at a predetermined time and in a predetermined quantity. As a result, the user U receives products NP and RP without paying the actual cost of the ink containers IS during the maintenance contract period. In other embodiments, the user U may pay the product price each time products NP and RP are received, rather than paying a fixed fee.

[0009] The ink container IS is cleaned using a cleaning system 10. The cleaning system 10 includes a cleaning device 100 that performs a cleaning operation on a used ink container IS to clean the ink container IS, and a cleaning control device 200 that controls the operation of the cleaning device 100. Furthermore, the cleaning system 10 includes a management device 300 that manages the cleaning control device 200 and the refill control device 600, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the cleaning device 100 performs at least an internal cleaning operation, which cleans the inside of the ink container IS using a cleaning agent DG as a cleaning operation. The cleaning device 100 may also perform a recovery operation, which discharges and recovers the ink IN remaining in the used ink container IS. When the cleaning device 100 performs multiple operations, the cleaning device 100 may perform all of the multiple operations of the cleaning operation, or it may perform only some of the multiple operations.

[0010] The production of refill products RP is carried out using a refill system 50. The refill system 50 includes a refill device 500 that produces refill products RP by performing a refill operation on a cleaned ink container IS, a refill control device 600 that controls the operation of the refill device 500, and the aforementioned management device 300. The refill device 500 performs at least a refill operation to refill the cleaned ink container IS with ink IN as a refill operation. The refill device 500 may also perform refill operations other than the refill operation. The refill device 500 may also perform, for example, an inspection operation to inspect the appearance to check the quality of the ink container IS set in the device 500, or an attachment operation to attach accessories AS such as caps and adapters to the ink container IS. This attachment operation may include an operation to remove the accessories AS from the ink container IS for replacement. The refill device 500 may also include a packaging operation as a refill operation to package the ink container IS with packaging materials PM such as bags and outer boxes. If the refill device 500 performs multiple operations, the refill device 500 may perform all of the multiple operations of the refill operation, or it may perform some of the multiple operations.

[0011] The cleaning device 100 and the cleaning control device 200 are leased free of charge from producer MA to cooperating company PA and installed at cooperating company PA's facility located in country C1. The management device 300 is installed at producer MA's facility located in country C2. The cleaning device 100 and the cleaning control device 200 may be configured as a single unit or as separate units. The cleaning device 100 and the cleaning control device 200 are connected to communicate via wired communication through a cable or wireless communication through a network. In this case, one cleaning device 100 may be connected to the cleaning control device 200, or multiple cleaning devices 100 may be connected to it. The cleaning control device 200 and the management device 300 are connected to communicate via wireless communication through network N2. Through communication between these devices 100, 200, and 300, the operating status of the cleaning operation in the cleaning device 100 is shared with the management device 300 via the cleaning control device 200. This arrangement allows the cooperating company PA to clean used ink containers IS under the management of the production company MA. The production company MA calculates the cleaning costs CC for cooperating company PA at predetermined intervals and pays them to cooperating company PA. These predetermined intervals may be fixed over time, such as a month, or they may be fixed based on the operational status of the cleaning operation, such as when the planned number of cleanings is reached. Furthermore, cooperating company PA may receive a certain amount as a deposit from the production company MA in advance and refund any surplus or receive additional funds for any shortages, depending on the number of ink containers IS cleaned. In addition, the billing process may differ depending on whether the cleaning is of the company's own genuine products, genuine products from other companies, or compatible products.

[0012] The refill device 500 and the refill control device 600 are installed at the facility of producer MA located in Country C2. The refill device 500 and the refill control device 600 may be configured as a single unit or as separate units. The refill device 500, the refill control device 600, and the management device 300 are connected to each other via wired communication through a cable or wireless communication through a network. In this case, one refill device 500 may be connected to the refill control device 600, or multiple refill devices 500 may be connected to it. Through communication between these devices 300, 500, and 600, the operating status of the refill operation in the refill device 500 is shared with the management device 300 via the refill control device 600. This allows producer MA to manage the production performance of refill products RP.

[0013] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cleaning device 100 in the first embodiment. The cleaning device 100 includes an operation execution device 110, a reading device 120, a monitoring device 130, and a communication device 140.

[0014] The operation execution device 110 is capable of performing cleaning operations. The operation execution device 110 includes, for example, one or more actuators driven under the control of the cleaning control device 200. The operation execution device 110 has a plurality of operation modes set according to the authentication result of the management device 300. The operation execution device 110 has, for example, an authorized mode as an operation mode in which cleaning operations can be performed, and a prohibited mode as an operation mode in which cleaning operations cannot be performed.

[0015] The reader 120 reads a specific medium to obtain product identification information and transmits the reading result to the cleaning control device 200. The reader 120 optically reads a code that stores product identification information, for example, a code printed on a label attached to an ink container IS. The code is a matrix-type two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark). The code may also be a one-dimensional code such as a barcode, or a stack-type two-dimensional code. Alternatively, the reader 120 may electrically read a memory on a circuit board attached to the ink container IS that stores product identification information.

[0016] The monitoring device 130 monitors the operating status of the cleaning operation and transmits the monitoring results to the cleaning control device 200. In this embodiment, the monitoring device 130 includes a counter 131 and a timer 132. The counter 131 counts the number of times the cleaning operation is performed. The timer 132 measures the operating time of the cleaning operation. Note that the operating time of the cleaning operation differs depending on whether it is the company's own genuine product, a third-party genuine product, or a compatible product.

[0017] The communication device 140 communicates with the cleaning control device 200 via wired or wireless communication. The communication device 140 is connected to the operation execution device 110, the reading device 120, and the monitoring device 130.

[0018] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cleaning control device 200 in the first embodiment. The cleaning control device 200 includes a processor 210, a memory 230, a communication device 250, an input device 260, and a notification device 270.

[0019] The communication device 250 communicates with the cleaning device 100 via wired or wireless communication. Furthermore, the communication device 250 communicates with the management device 300 via wireless communication. The communication device 250 is connected to the processor 210, memory 230, input device 260, and notification device 270.

[0020] The input device 260 receives input from the cooperating company PA. The input device 260 is, for example, a touch panel, mouse, or keyboard.

[0021] The notification device 270 notifies the cooperating PA of various information. The notification device 270 is, for example, a display device such as a display. The notification device 270 may also be an audio generating device such as a speaker.

[0022] The memory 230 is a recording medium readable by the computer, and can be an internal storage device within the computer such as RAM or ROM, an external storage device such as a hard disk, or a combination thereof. The memory 230 includes a program storage means 231. The program storage means 231 stores various programs to be executed by the processor 210.

[0023] The processor 210 functions as an identification information transmission means 211, a plan acquisition means 212, an identification information acquisition means 213, an operation control means 214, and an operation status transmission means 215 by executing a program stored in the program storage means 231.

[0024] The identification information transmission means 211 transmits device identification information, which is the identification information of the cleaning control device 200, to the management device 300. The device identification information is, for example, an ID and password provided by the manufacturer MA upon concluding a cooperation agreement with the manufacturer MA. In this case, the identification information transmission means 211 transmits to the management device 300 the ID and password entered by the cooperating business PA via the input device 260, for example. Note that the device identification information may also be identification information unique to each cleaning control device 200, such as a lot number or serial number. In this case, the identification information transmission means 211 may transmit to the management device 300 the device identification information stored in, for example, an identification information storage means (not shown) of the memory 230.

[0025] The plan acquisition means 212 acquires the production plan from the management device 300. The production plan includes, for example, the planned quantity of washing.

[0026] The identification information acquisition means 213 acquires product identification information using the reading result from the reader 120. For example, if an image containing a code is transmitted from the reader 120 to the cleaning control device 200 as a reading result, the identification information acquisition means 213 performs the following processing. In this case, the identification information acquisition means 213 acquires product identification information by, for example, binarizing the image containing the code to generate a binary image, and then decoding the code contained in the binary image according to a predetermined standard. Alternatively, if an electrical signal representing product identification information is transmitted from the reader 120 to the cleaning control device 200 as a reading result, the identification information acquisition means 213 may acquire product identification information by analyzing the electrical signal. The identification information acquisition means 213 transmits the acquired product identification information to the management device 300.

[0027] The operation control means 214 sets the operation mode of the operation execution device 110 to the permitted mode when the operation of the cleaning device 100 is permitted by the management device 300. On the other hand, the operation control means 214 sets the operation mode of the operation execution device 110 to the prohibited mode when the operation of the cleaning device 100 is not permitted by the management device 300. As a result, when the operation of the cleaning device 100 is permitted by the management device 300, the operation control means 214 drives the operation execution device 110 to clean the used ink container IS using the component PT supplied by the manufacturer MA.

[0028] The operational status transmission means 215 acquires the monitoring results of the monitoring device 130 for a specific period and transmits the monitoring results to the management device 300 as the operational status of the cleaning operation. In this embodiment, the operational status transmission means 215 acquires monitoring results that include the output result of the counter 131 indicating the number of times the cleaning operation was performed during the specific period, and the output result of the timer 132 indicating the operating time of the cleaning operation. The operational status transmission means 215 then transmits the operational status of the cleaning operation, including the number of times the cleaning operation was performed during the specific period and the operating time of the cleaning operation during the specific period, to the management device 300. When cleaning the company's own genuine products, the operational status transmission means 215 transmits the operational status in association with product identification information. The operational status transmission means 215 may also transmit information about the components used PT when cleaning the ink container IS to the management device 300 in association with product identification information. Furthermore, when cleaning the company's own genuine products by contracting with another company, the operational status transmission means 215 can transmit the operational status in association with the product identification information, similar to the case of the company's own genuine products.

[0029] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a refill device 500. The refill device 500 comprises an operation execution device 510, a reader 520, a monitoring device 530, and a communication device 540. The operation execution device 510 is capable of performing refill operations. The operation execution device 510 includes, for example, one or more actuators driven under the control of a refill control device 600. The reader 520, similar to the reader 120 of the washing device 100, reads a specific medium and transmits the reading result to the refill control device 600. The monitoring device 530 monitors the operating status of the refill operation, such as the number of refill operations performed and the operating time, and transmits the monitoring result to the refill control device 600. The communication device 540 communicates with the refill control device 600 by wired or wireless communication. The communication device 540 is connected to the operation execution device 510, the reader 520, and the monitoring device 530.

[0030] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a refill control device 600. The refill control device 600 comprises a processor 610, a memory 630, a communication device 650, an input device 660, and a notification device 670.

[0031] The communication device 650 communicates with the refill device 500 via wired or wireless communication. Furthermore, the communication device 650 communicates with the management device 300 via wireless communication. The communication device 650 is connected to the processor 610, memory 630, input device 660, and notification device 670.

[0032] The input device 660 receives input from the cooperating company PA. The input device 660 is, for example, a touch panel, a mouse, or a keyboard.

[0033] The notification device 670 notifies the cooperating PA of various information. The notification device 670 is, for example, a display device such as a display. The notification device 670 may also be an audio generating device such as a speaker.

[0034] The memory 630 is a recording medium readable by a computer, and can be an internal storage device within the computer such as RAM or ROM, an external storage device such as a hard disk, or a combination thereof. The memory 630 comprises a program storage means 631, a type storage means 632, and a component storage means 633. The program storage means 631 stores various programs to be executed by the processor 610.

[0035] The type storage means 632 stores information for identifying the type of ink container IS, such as the model number of the ink container IS. The type storage means 632 pre-stores, for example, a model number table (not shown) that associates product identification information with the model number of the ink container IS.

[0036] The component storage means 633 stores the configuration of components according to the type of ink container IS. The component storage means 633 pre-stores, for example, a component table (not shown) that shows the configuration of components for each type of ink container IS. In the component table, for example, the type and amount of ink IN, the type of accessory AS, and the type of packaging material PM are shown for each type of ink container IS.

[0037] The processor 610 functions as a plan acquisition means 611, an identification information acquisition means 612, a type identification means 613, a component identification means 614, an operation control means 615, and an operation status transmission means 616 by executing a program stored in the program storage means 631.

[0038] The plan acquisition means 611 acquires the production plan from the management device 300. The production plan includes, for example, the planned production quantity.

[0039] The identification information acquisition means 612 acquires product identification information using the reading result of the reading device 520 and transmits the acquired product identification information to the management device 300.

[0040] The type identification means 613 identifies the type of ink container IS from the product identification information by referring to the type storage means 632. The type identification means 613 identifies the type of ink container IS by, for example, referring to the model number table stored in the type storage means 632 and identifying the model number of the ink container IS corresponding to the product identification information obtained by the identification information acquisition means 612.

[0041] The component identification means 614 refers to the component storage means 633 to identify the component configuration corresponding to the type of ink container IS identified by the type identification means 613. The component identification means 614, for example, refers to the component table stored in the component storage means 633 to obtain the component configuration corresponding to the type of ink container IS identified by the type identification means 613. As a result, the component identification means 614 identifies the component configuration used in the production of the refill product RP, such as the type and amount of ink IN, the type of accessory AS, and the type of packaging material PM.

[0042] The operation control means 615 drives the operation execution device 510 to produce a refill product RP using the component identified by the component identification means 614.

[0043] The operational status transmission means 616 acquires the monitoring results of the monitoring device 530 for a specific period and transmits the monitoring results to the management device 300 as the operational status of the refill operation, associated with product identification information. The operational status transmission means 616 may also transmit information about the materials used when producing the refill product RP to the management device 300, associated with the product identification information.

[0044] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management device 300 in the first embodiment. The management device 300 includes a processor 310, a memory 330, a communication device 350, an input device 360, and a notification device 370.

[0045] The communication device 350 communicates with the washing control device 200 and the refill control device 600 via wireless communication. The communication device 350 is connected to the processor 310, memory 330, input device 360, and notification device 370.

[0046] The input device 360 ​​receives input from the manufacturer MA. The input device 360 ​​is, for example, a touch panel, a mouse, or a keyboard.

[0047] The notification device 370 notifies the production operator MA of various information. The notification device 370 is, for example, a display device such as a display. The notification device 370 may also be an audio generating device such as a speaker.

[0048] The memory 330 is a recording medium readable by a computer, and can be an internal storage device within the computer such as RAM or ROM, an external storage device such as a hard disk, or a combination thereof. The memory 330 comprises a program storage means 331, an identification information storage means 332, a classification storage means 333, and a performance storage means 334. The program storage means 331 stores various programs to be executed by the processor 310.

[0049] The identification information storage means 332 pre-stores the device identification information of a specific cleaning control device 200. In this embodiment, the device identification information is stored in the identification information storage means 332 at the start of the collaboration contract period and deleted from the identification information storage means 332 at the end of the collaboration contract period. Therefore, the identification information storage means 332 in this embodiment stores the device identification information of the cleaning control device 200 that was lent to the collaborating business PA during the collaboration contract period.

[0050] The classification storage means 333 stores information for classifying ink containers IS into three categories: the company's own genuine products, genuine products from other companies, and compatible products other than the company's own genuine products and other companies' genuine products. The company's own genuine products are genuine ink containers IS provided by the manufacturer MA that owns the management device 300. Other companies' genuine products are genuine ink containers IS provided by other manufacturers MA that compete with the manufacturer MA that owns the management device 300. Compatible products are unofficial ink containers IS provided by businesses other than the manufacturer MA. The classification storage means 333 pre-stores product identification information of the company's genuine products in a classification table (not shown). The classification storage means 333 may also store the external characteristics of the ink containers IS in order to classify the ink containers IS based on their appearance. If the company has a contract with another company, the identification information of the other company's genuine products may also be added to the classification table.

[0051] The performance storage means 334 stores the cleaning performance of the ink containers IS by the cleaning device 100. The performance storage means 334 stores, for example, a product management table showing the cleaning performance of each ink container IS, and a business management table showing the cleaning performance of each cooperating business PA.

[0052] Figure 7 is a conceptual diagram of the product management table TP. The product management table TP stores, for example, the date the ink container IS was cleaned, the amount of cleaning agent DG used to clean the ink container IS, and the number of times the ink container IS has been reused, all associated with product identification information. The product management table TP may also store information other than that mentioned above. For example, the product management table TP may store equipment identification information, business information related to cooperating companies PA, and warehouse information related to the warehouse where used ink container IS and cleaned ink container IS are stored. In principle, product identification information is limited to the company's own genuine products, but if a contract has been made with a competitor, identification information for the competitor's genuine products may be stored and managed.

[0053] Figure 8 is a conceptual diagram of the business operator management table TV. The business operator management table TV stores, for example, the device identification information of the cleaning control device 200 corresponding to the cleaning device 100 used when cleaning used ink containers IS, the operating status of the cleaning operation, and the number of ink containers IS cleaned for each specific period. In the example shown in Figure 8, the operating status of the cleaning operation stores the total number of times the cleaning operation was performed during the specific period and the total operating time of the cleaning operation during the specific period. Note that the business operator management table TV may also store information other than that mentioned above. For example, the business operator management table TV may store the type and quantity of component PT supplied from the production business MA to the cooperating business PA, the quantity of component PT used during the specific period, and the inventory quantity of component PT after the end of the specific period.

[0054] As shown in Figure 6, the processor 310 functions as a permission signal transmission means 311, a plan transmission means 312, a classification means 313, and a performance management means 314 by executing a program stored in the program storage means 331. Furthermore, the processor 310 functions as a quantity calculation means 315, a warning output means 316, a cost calculation means 317, and a billing destination determination means 318 by executing a program stored in the program storage means 331.

[0055] The authorization signal transmitting means 311 compares the device identification information received from the identification information transmitting means 211 with the device identification information stored in the identification information storage means 332. If the device identification information received from the identification information transmitting means 211 matches the device identification information stored in the identification information storage means 332, the authorization signal transmitting means 311 authorizes the cleaning control device 200 to perform the cleaning operation of the cleaning device 100. When authorizing the cleaning operation of the cleaning device 100, the authorization signal transmitting means 311, for example, transmits an authentication code to the cleaning control device 200.

[0056] The plan transmission means 312 transmits the production plan to the washing control device 200 and the refill control device 600. The production plan is determined based on various information shared by the user U and the cooperating business PA.

[0057] The classification means 313, by referring to the classification storage means 333, classifies the ink containers IS on which a cleaning operation has been performed during a specific period into either the company's own genuine products, other companies' genuine products, or compatible products. For example, if the product identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means 213 is included in the classification table stored in the classification storage means 333, the classification means 313 classifies the ink containers IS as follows. In this case, the classification means 313 classifies the ink containers IS into either the company's own genuine products or other companies' genuine products according to the product identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means 213. On the other hand, if the product identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means 213 is not included in the classification table stored in the classification storage means 333, the classification means 313 classifies the ink containers IS as compatible products. The classification means 313 may also classify the ink containers IS by obtaining detection results from a detection device (not shown) provided in the cleaning device 100 to identify the appearance of the ink containers IS, and by referring to the characteristics of the appearance of the ink containers IS stored in the classification storage means 333. The detection device is a device capable of capturing the appearance of the ink containers IS, and is, for example, an imaging device such as a camera or a sensor such as a laser displacement meter.

[0058] The performance management means 314 manages the cleaning history of the ink container IS by storing various information received from the cleaning control device 200 in the performance storage means 334. When the performance management means 314 receives product identification information from the identification information acquisition means 213, it performs the following processing. This processing is based on the company's own genuine products that can identify the product. In this case, the performance management means 314 transmits or adds to the cleaning control device 200 the number of reuses corresponding to the product identification information received from the identification information acquisition means 213 in the product management table TP stored in the performance storage means 334. In this way, the performance management means 314 manages the number of reuses of the ink container IS.

[0059] Furthermore, the performance management means 314 performs the following processing on the operating status of the cleaning operation received from the operating status transmission means 215. The performance management means 314 stores the operating status of the cleaning operation received from the operating status transmission means 215 in the product management table TP stored in the performance storage means 334. In this way, the performance management means 314 manages the operating status of the cleaning operation. In the case of the company's own genuine products, the operating status of the cleaning operation may be stored in association with product identification information.

[0060] Furthermore, when the performance management means 314 receives information on materials used along with product identification information from the operational status transmission means 215, it performs the following processing. In this case, the performance management means 314 stores the information on materials used in association with the product identification information received from the operational status transmission means 215 in the product management table TP stored in the performance storage means 334. In this way, the performance management means 314 manages the materials PT used to clean the ink container IS. In this manner, the performance management means 314 manages the cleaning record of the ink container IS for each product NP, RP.

[0061] Furthermore, the performance management means 314 executes the following process when a specific period has elapsed. In this case, the performance management means 314 generates a business operator management table TV based on the product management table TP stored in the performance storage means 334 and the calculation results from the quantity calculation means 315. This allows for the management of the cleaning performance of ink containers IS for each cooperating business operator PA, including the number of cleaning operations performed and the operating time during a specific period, the number of ink containers IS cleaned calculated from these, and the quantity of components PT used and in stock.

[0062] Furthermore, the performance management means 314 manages the production performance of refill products RP by storing various information received from the refill control device 600 in the performance storage means 334, similar to the processing related to the cleaning system 10 described above.

[0063] The counting means 315 calculates the number of ink containers IS to be cleaned during a specific period using at least one of the number of cleaning operations performed and the operating time received from the operating status transmission means 215 during that period. In other words, the counting means 315 estimates the number of ink containers IS to be cleaned from the operating status of the cleaning operation.

[0064] The warning output means 316 outputs a warning when necessary, by displaying a warning screen on the display screen of the management device 300 or by generating a warning sound from the sound generator of the management device 300. In this embodiment, the warning output means 316 outputs a warning when the ink container IS on which the cleaning operation has been performed is classified as a compatible product. Furthermore, although not legally permitted, it is conceivable that counterfeit products may be cleaned. Therefore, the warning output means 316 may also output a warning when the cleaning operation of counterfeit products is performed.

[0065] The cost calculation means 317 calculates the cleaning cost CC of ink containers IS for a specific period based on a specific quantity that correlates with the operating status of the cleaning operation, such as the number of ink containers IS to be cleaned. The cost calculation means 317 calculates the cleaning cost CC using, for example, a pre-prepared calculation formula. The calculation formula includes, for example, the cleaning cost CC as the dependent variable and a specific quantity that changes according to the operating status of the cleaning operation as an independent variable. The calculation formula may also include the following terms. The calculation formula may also include a term that multiplies the number of ink containers IS to be cleaned, calculated by the quantity calculation means 315, by the unit price of the cleaning cost CC of the ink containers IS. Alternatively, the cost calculation means 317 may calculate the cleaning cost CC by referring to a billing table that shows the cleaning cost CC corresponding to a specific quantity, instead of using a pre-prepared calculation formula. In this embodiment, the cost calculation means 317 calculates the cleaning cost for the company's own products, which is the cleaning cost CC according to the operating status of the cleaning operation for the company's own genuine products, and the cleaning cost for other companies' products, which is the cleaning cost CC according to the operating status of the cleaning operation for other companies' genuine products. The cost of cleaning our own products includes, for example, the labor costs of employees who are involved in cleaning ink containers IS at the business premises of our partner company PA. The cost of cleaning our own products may also include the utility costs (electricity, gas, water) required to operate the cleaning device 100 and the cleaning control device 200. The cost of cleaning other companies' products includes, for example, the cost of components PT used in the cleaning operation of other companies' genuine products. The cost of cleaning other companies' products may also include the usage fees for devices 100 and 200 leased from manufacturer MA to partner company PA, and may also include license fees for manufacturer MA's brand logo, patents, etc. The billing table may include, for example, different usage fees for cleaning device 100 depending on whether the cleaning operation is for our own genuine products or for cleaning other companies' genuine products.

[0066] The billing destination determination means 318 determines the billing destination for the cleaning cost CC according to the classification of the ink container IS, when the ink container IS on which the cleaning operation has been performed is classified as a genuine product. Specifically, when the ink container IS on which the cleaning operation has been performed is classified as a genuine product of the company, the billing destination determination means 318 determines that the cleaning of the ink container IS was performed within the scope of the outsourced work under the collaboration agreement and determines that the billing destination for the cleaning cost CC is the manufacturer MA. As a result, manufacturer MA pays the cleaning cost of its own product to the cooperating company PA. On the other hand, when the ink container IS on which the cleaning operation has been performed is classified as a genuine product of another company, the billing destination determination means 318 determines that the cleaning was performed outside the scope of the outsourced work under the collaboration agreement and determines that the billing destination for the cleaning cost CC is the cooperating company PA. As a result, manufacturer MA collects the cleaning cost of the other company's product from cooperating company PA by billing cooperating company PA. Furthermore, if it is determined that a compatible product has been cleaned, manufacturer MA may bill cooperating company PA for the compatible product cleaning cost based on a different fee structure.

[0067] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the cleaning management method for ink containers IS in the first embodiment. The cleaning management method is performed when cleaning used ink containers IS. In the cleaning management method, first, the authentication step S1 is performed. In the authentication step, the management device 300 determines whether the cleaning device 100 can be operated. If step S100 is "No", that is, if the operation of the cleaning device 100 is not permitted by the cleaning device 100, this flow ends without cleaning the ink containers IS. If step S100 is "Yes", that is, if the operation of the cleaning device 100 is permitted by the management device 300, the cleaning step S2 is performed. In the cleaning step, used ink containers IS are cleaned until the number of ink containers IS to be cleaned reaches the planned cleaning quantity. When the number of ink containers IS to be cleaned reaches the planned cleaning quantity, the quantity calculation step S4 is performed. In the quantity calculation step, the number of ink containers IS to be cleaned is calculated as a specific quantity. After the quantity calculation step, the classification step in step S5 is performed. In the classification step, ink containers IS on which cleaning operations have been performed during a specific period are classified. The quantity calculation step and the classification step may be performed in any order. After the quantity calculation step and the classification step, the warning output step in step S6 is performed. In the warning output step, a warning is output if predetermined conditions are met. Finally, the cost calculation step in step S9 is performed. In the cost calculation step, the cleaning cost CC for a specific period is calculated based on a specific quantity, and the billing destination for the cleaning cost CC is determined.

[0068] Figure 10 is a flowchart detailing the authentication process in the first embodiment. The authentication process begins when a cooperating company PA performs an action requesting the operation of the cleaning device 100, such as turning on the power to the cleaning device 100. Figure 10 illustrates a case where the manufacturer MA has concluded collaboration agreements with multiple cooperating company PAs, and each of the multiple cooperating company PAs is assigned a different ID and password by the manufacturer MA as device identification information.

[0069] In step S101, the identification information transmission means 211 of the cleaning control device 200 displays an input screen on the display device of the cleaning control device 200 for the cooperating business PA to enter an ID and password. If step S102 is "Yes", that is, if the cooperating business PA enters an ID and password via the input device 260, step S103 is executed. In step S103, the identification information transmission means 211 of the cleaning control device 200 transmits the entered ID and password to the management device 300. If step S104 is "Yes", that is, if the management device 300 receives the ID and password from the cleaning control device 200, step S105 is executed. In step S105, the permission signal transmission means 311 of the management device 300 compares the ID and password received from the identification information transmission means 211 of the cleaning control device 200 with the ID and password stored in the identification information storage means 332 of the management device 300.

[0070] If step S106 is "Yes," that is, if the ID and password received from the identification information transmission means 211 of the cleaning control device 200 match the ID and password stored in the identification information storage means 332 of the management device 300, step S107 is executed. In step S107, the permission signal transmission means 311 of the management device 300 determines that it can permit the cleaning operation of the cleaning device 100 during the period of the cooperation agreement and sends an authentication code to the cleaning control device 200. If step S108 is "Yes," that is, if the cleaning control device 200 receives the authentication code within a predetermined time after sending the ID and password to the management device 300, step S109 is executed. In step S109, the operation control means 214 of the cleaning control device 200 determines that the operation of the cleaning device 100 has been permitted by the management device 300 and sends a permission signal to the cleaning device 100 to switch the operation mode of the operation execution device 110 from prohibit mode to permit mode. If step S110 is "Yes," that is, if the cleaning device 100 receives a permission signal, the operating mode of the operation execution device 110 is set to permission mode in step S111. As a result, the operating mode of the cleaning device 100 switches from prohibition mode to permission mode, and the cleaning device 100 becomes capable of performing cleaning operations.

[0071] If step S106 is "No," that is, if the ID and password received from the identification information transmission means 211 of the cleaning control device 200 do not match the ID and password stored in the identification information storage means 332 of the management device 300, the following process is executed. In this case, the permission signal transmission means 311 of the management device 300 determines that it cannot permit the cleaning operation of the cleaning device 100 because it is outside the cooperation contract period, and terminates this flow without sending an authentication code to the cleaning control device 200. If step S108 is "No," that is, if the cleaning control device 200 does not receive an authentication code within a predetermined time after sending the ID and password to the management device 300, the following process is executed. In this case, the operation control means 214 of the cleaning control device 200 determines that the operation of the cleaning device 100 is not permitted by the management device 300, and terminates this flow without sending a permission signal to the cleaning device 100. As a result, the operation mode of the operation execution device 110 remains in prohibited mode, and the state in which it cannot perform cleaning operations continues.

[0072] Furthermore, the authentication code that authorizes the cleaning operation of the cleaning device 100 may be updated periodically. In addition, the authentication process may be performed again in specific cases, such as when communication between the cleaning control device 200 and the management device 300 is interrupted, or when a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the cleaning device 100 stopped operating. This makes it easier to eliminate unauthorized access and improves the functionality of the cleaning system 10 when using the network N2.

[0073] Figure 11 is a flowchart detailing the cleaning process in the first embodiment. The cleaning process begins when the operation of the cleaning device 100 is authorized by the control device 300. In the cleaning process, first, the cleaning preparation process in step S21 is performed. In the cleaning preparation process, preparations are made to start cleaning the ink containers IS, such as obtaining a production plan. Following the cleaning preparation process, the cleaning operation process in step S22 is performed. In the cleaning operation process, the cleaning device 100 performs a cleaning operation, and the used ink containers IS are cleaned. The cleaning operation process may also include, for example, a visual inspection to check the quality of the ink containers IS. The operating status of the cleaning operation is shared with the control device 300 as appropriate. The cleaning operation process is repeatedly performed until the number of ink containers IS to be cleaned reaches the planned cleaning quantity. If step S28 is "Yes", that is, when the number of ink containers IS to be cleaned reaches the planned cleaning quantity, the performance management process in step S29 is performed. In the performance management process, the operating status of the cleaning operation for a specific period is compiled.

[0074] Figure 12 is a flowchart detailing the cleaning preparation process in the first embodiment. The cleaning preparation process is initiated, for example, when the operating mode of the operation execution device 110 is set to the permission mode. In step S211, the plan transmission means 312 of the management device 300 transmits a production plan, including the planned cleaning quantity, to the cleaning control device 200. In step S212, the plan acquisition means 212 of the cleaning control device 200 acquires the production plan, including the planned cleaning quantity, from the management device 300. If step S213 is "Yes", that is, if there is no abnormality in the basic state of the cleaning device 100, step S214 is executed. The basic state of the cleaning device 100 refers to, for example, whether or not there are errors related to the cleaning operation. In step S214, the operation control means 214 of the cleaning control device 200 transmits a cleaning start signal to the cleaning device 100 to start cleaning the ink container IS. Note that the basic state confirmation work may be performed automatically by the cleaning system 10, or manually by the cooperating business PA.

[0075] Figure 13 is a first flowchart showing the details of the cleaning operation process in the first embodiment. Figure 14 is a second flowchart showing the details of the cleaning operation process in the first embodiment. The cleaning operation process is started, for example, when the cleaning device 100 receives a cleaning start signal from the cleaning control device 200.

[0076] As shown in Figure 13, in step S221, the reader 120 of the cleaning device 100 images the label attached to or printed on the ink container IS set in the cleaning device 100. As a result, the reader 120 obtains an image containing a code that stores the serial number of the ink container IS. In step S222, the reader 120 transmits the acquired image to the cleaning control device 200. In step S223, the identification information acquisition means 213 of the cleaning control device 200 decodes the code in the image to obtain the serial number of the ink container IS set in the cleaning device 100. In step S224, the identification information acquisition means 213 transmits the acquired serial number to the management device 300. In step S225, the performance management means 314 of the management device 300 refers to the product management table TP stored in the performance storage means 334 to obtain the number of times the ink container IS identified by the serial number obtained from the cleaning control device 200 has been reused.

[0077] If step S226 is "Yes", that is, if the acquired number of reuses has reached a predetermined upper limit, step S227 is executed. In step S227, the performance management means 314 sends a stop signal to the cleaning control device 200 to stop the cleaning operation on the ink container IS set in the cleaning device 100, and this flow ends. If step S228 is "Yes", that is, if the cleaning control device 200 receives the stop signal within a predetermined time after transmitting the serial number, step S229 is executed. In step S229, the operation control means 214 of the cleaning control device 200 sends a stop signal to the cleaning device 100 to stop the cleaning operation on the ink container IS set in the cleaning device 100, and this flow ends. If step S230 is "Yes", that is, if the cleaning device 100 receives the stop signal, the cleaning device 100 ends this flow without driving the operation execution device 110. This is an action taken to maintain the cleaning quality of the ink container IS and to ensure that only ink container IS without quality degradation is introduced to the market.

[0078] If step S226 is "No", that is, if the acquired number of reuses has not reached the upper limit, then step S228 is "No". If step S228 is "No", that is, if the cleaning control device 200 does not receive a cancellation signal within a predetermined time after transmitting the serial number, then step S231 shown in Figure 14 is executed. In step S231, the operation control means 214 of the cleaning control device 200 transmits an operation start signal to the cleaning device 100 to start the cleaning operation. Upon receiving the operation start signal, the timer 132 of the cleaning device 100 starts measuring the operating time of the cleaning operation in step S232. Upon receiving the operation start signal, the operation execution device 110 of the cleaning device 100 executes the cleaning operation in step S233. During the cleaning operation, the operation execution device 110, for example, opens a valve that switches communication between the inside and outside of the ink container IS and discharges the cleaning agent DG from the valve into the inside of the ink container IS. The operation execution device 110 then cleans the inside of the ink container IS by discharging the cleaning agent DG through a valve. When the cleaning operation is complete, the operation execution device 110 sends a cleaning completion signal to the cleaning control device 200 in step S234, along with the amount of cleaning agent DG used, indicating that the cleaning operation is complete. When the cleaning operation is complete, the timer 132 stops measuring the operating time of the cleaning operation in step S235. In step S236, the timer 132 sends the operating time of the cleaning operation to the cleaning control device 200. When the cleaning operation is complete, the counter 131 of the cleaning device 100 increments the number of cleaning operations by one in step S237. This increment may be applied only to genuine products for which product identification information could be read. In step S238, the counter 131 sends the number of cleaning operations to the cleaning control device 200. In step S239, the operating status transmission means 215 of the cleaning control device 200 transmits the number of cleaning operations performed, the operating time, and the amount of cleaning agent DG used as the operating status of the cleaning operation to the management device 300. The performance management means 314 of the management device 300, which has acquired the operating status of the cleaning operation, stores the operating status of the cleaning operation in the product management table TP stored in the performance storage means 334 in step S240.Furthermore, the performance management means 314 adds one reuse count to the serial number of the cleaned ink container IS. This causes the performance management means 314 to update the product management table TP.

[0079] Figure 15 is a flowchart detailing the performance management process in the first embodiment. The performance management process is initiated, for example, when the number of ink containers IS to be cleaned reaches the planned cleaning quantity. In step S291, the performance management means 314 of the management device 300 refers to the product management table TP stored in the performance storage means 334 and aggregates the number of cleaning operations performed, the operating time, and the quantity of components PT used. In step S292, the performance management means 314 generates a business operator management table TV by dividing the aggregated results into specific period groups.

[0080] Figure 16 is a flowchart detailing the quantity calculation process in the first embodiment. The quantity calculation process is started, for example, when the production process is completed. In step S401, the quantity calculation means 315 of the management device 300 obtains the total number of times the cleaning operation is performed during a specific period. In step S402, the quantity calculation means 315 calculates the number of ink containers IS to be cleaned using the total number of times the cleaning operation is performed during the specific period. Alternatively, in step S401, the quantity calculation means 315 may obtain the total operating time of the cleaning operation during a specific period. In this case, in step S402, the quantity calculation means 315 calculates the number of ink containers IS to be cleaned using the total operating time of the cleaning operation during the specific period.

[0081] Figure 17 is a flowchart detailing the classification process in the first embodiment. The classification process begins, for example, when the quantity calculation process is completed. If step S501 is "Yes," that is, if the serial numbers of the ink containers IS on which the cleaning operation has been performed during a specific period are included in the classification table stored in the classification storage means 333, step S502 is executed. In steps S502 and S503, the classification means 313 of the management device 300 classifies the ink containers IS on which the cleaning operation has been performed into either the company's own genuine products or genuine products from other companies, according to their serial numbers. If step S501 is "No," that is, if the serial numbers of the ink containers IS on which the cleaning operation has been performed during a specific period are not included in the classification table stored in the classification storage means 333, step S504 is executed. In step S504, the classification means 313 classifies the ink containers IS on which the cleaning operation has been performed into compatible products.

[0082] Figure 18 is a flowchart detailing the warning output process in the first embodiment. The warning output process starts, for example, when both the quantity calculation process and the classification process are completed. If step S601 is "Yes," that is, if the ink containers IS on which the cleaning operation was performed during a specific period are classified as compatible products, step S602 is executed. In step S602, the warning output means 316 determines that there is a possibility that the cooperating company PA has committed fraud by cleaning compatible products, and outputs a warning via the notification device 370. If step S601 is "No," that is, if the ink containers IS on which the cleaning operation was performed during a specific period are classified as genuine products, the warning output means 316 does the following. In this case, the warning output means 316 determines that there is a low possibility that the cooperating company PA has committed fraud by cleaning compatible products, and terminates this flow without outputting a warning. Note that warnings may also be output not only in the classification of compatible products, but also in cases such as when genuine products from other companies with which there is no contract are cleaned, or when counterfeit products are cleaned.

[0083] Figure 19 is a flowchart detailing the cost calculation process in the first embodiment. The cost calculation process begins, for example, when both the quantity calculation process and the classification process are completed. In step S901, the cost calculation means 317 of the management device 300 substitutes the number of ink containers IS that were classified as the company's own genuine products, out of the number of ink containers IS that were cleaned in the quantity calculation process, into the calculation formula. This allows the cost calculation means 317 to calculate the cleaning cost for the company's own products. In step S902, the billing destination determination means 318 of the management device 300 determines that the billing destination for the cleaning cost of the company's own products is the manufacturer MA. In step S903, the cost calculation means 317 substitutes the number of ink containers IS that were classified as genuine products of other companies, out of the number of ink containers IS that were cleaned in the quantity calculation process, into the calculation formula. This allows the cost calculation means 317 to calculate the cleaning cost for other companies' products. In step S904, the billing destination determination means 318 determines that the billing destination for the cleaning costs of the competitor's product is the cooperating company PA. Furthermore, the billing destination for the cleaning costs CC when a compatible product is cleaned may also be determined to be the cooperating company PA.

[0084] According to the first embodiment described above, used ink containers IS are cleaned in country C1, exported from country C1 to country C2, and recycled as refills RP in country C2. In this embodiment, the cleaning operation of the cleaning device 100, which is leased to cooperating company PA, is permitted only when the device identification information received from the cleaning control device 200 leased to cooperating company PA matches the device identification information stored in the management device 300 owned by manufacturer MA. This allows manufacturer MA to have cooperating company PA clean used ink containers IS, but only if cooperating company PA has a cooperation agreement with manufacturer MA. In other words, manufacturer MA can use networks N1 and N2 to have cooperating company PA clean used ink containers IS under the management of manufacturer MA. In this configuration, the producer MA can manage the cooperating company PA in accordance with the environmental regulatory treaty, enabling the export of ink containers IS that comply with the environmental regulatory treaty from country C1 to country C2, where refill products RP can be produced.

[0085] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, the location of user U, who uses products NP and RP, and the business premises of cooperating company PA, which cleans the used ink containers IS collected from user U, are located in country C1. In this configuration, the collected ink containers IS can be quickly cleaned within country C1. In other embodiments, the location of user U and the business premises of cooperating company PA may be located in different countries.

[0086] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, the producer MA can produce refill products RP using the cleaned ink container IS. In this configuration, the burden on the producer MA required for the collection and cleaning of used ink container IS can be reduced. Moreover, refill products RP can be produced without supplying a large quantity of components used in the production of refill products RP, such as ink IN, accessories AS, and packaging materials PM, to the first country C1. As a result, the components PT supplied to the first country C1 can be kept to a minimum, such as cleaning agents DG. Therefore, the transportation costs of components used in the production of refill products RP can be reduced.

[0087] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, in the cleaning system 10, the cooperating company PA cleans the ink container IS using components PT supplied by the manufacturer MA, and using a cleaning device 100 lent by the manufacturer MA, in a cleaning method specified by the manufacturer MA. With this configuration, the possibility of the cleaned ink container IS becoming non-compliant with environmental regulations when exported from country C1 to country C2 can be reduced.

[0088] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, in the cleaning system 10, the management device 300 owned by the producer MA can manage the operation of the cleaning device 100 by communicating with the cleaning control device 200 lent to the cooperating company PA via the network N2. In this configuration, even when the cooperating company PA located in a distant first country C1 cleans the ink container IS, the producer MA can easily manage the cleaning of the ink container IS by the cooperating company PA from the second country C2. This makes it possible to widely disseminate the cleaning system 10 to consumption areas of ink container IS around the world.

[0089] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, in the cleaning system 10, the management device 300 owned by the manufacturer MA can communicate with the printing device 900 owned by the user U and the cleaning control device 200 leased to the cooperating company PA via networks N1 and N2. This allows the manufacturer MA to obtain various information from the user U, such as the usage status of the printing device 900, and various information from the cooperating company PA, such as the recovery status of the ink container IS. In this configuration, the manufacturer MA can determine the quantity and timing of refill products RP to be provided by the cooperating company PA to the user U based on the various information shared by the user U and the cooperating company PA, and create a production plan for the refill products RP. This allows the manufacturer MA to supply the appropriate quantity of components PT to the cooperating company PA at the appropriate time according to the production plan. In addition, the cooperating company PA can clean the ink container IS according to the production plan obtained via network N2 and provide it to the manufacturer MA. This allows the manufacturer MA to produce refill products RP according to a predetermined production plan, thereby providing users U with refill products RP in predetermined quantities at predetermined delivery times. Thus, the manufacturer MA can provide users U with the appropriate number of refill products RP at the appropriate time.

[0090] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, the performance storage means 334 of the management device 300 stores the number of times the ink container IS has been reused in association with the product identification information. In this configuration, if the number of times the ink container IS has been reused reaches the upper limit, the management device 300 can stop the cleaning operation by the cleaning device 100 by sending a stop signal to the cleaning control device 200. This reduces the possibility that the ink container IS will be reused beyond the upper limit. The management device 300 may also output a warning when the number of times the ink container IS has been reused reaches the upper limit. Even in this configuration, the possibility that the ink container IS will be reused beyond the upper limit can be reduced.

[0091] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, the cleaning system 10 can classify used ink containers IS into either the company's own genuine products, other companies' genuine products, or compatible products. In this configuration, the manufacturer MA can differentiate the cleaning process for the ink containers IS according to their classification. For example, if a cleaning operation is planned for compatible products, the management device 300 may stop the cleaning operation for compatible products, contrary to the manufacturer MA's intentions, by sending a stop signal to the cleaning control device 200. In this configuration, the manufacturer MA can prevent the cleaning device 100 and the cleaning control device 200 from being used to clean compatible products. The management device 300 may also calculate a compatible product cleaning cost CC, which is the cleaning cost CC, according to the operating status of the cleaning operation for compatible products. The compatible product cleaning cost includes, for example, the cost of the components PT used in the cleaning operation for compatible products. The cost of cleaning compatible parts may include the usage fee for the equipment 100,200 lent by the manufacturer MA to the cooperating company PA, and may also include license fees for the manufacturer MA's brand logo, patents, etc. Furthermore, if the control device 300 determines that cleaning outside the scope of the outsourced work under the collaboration agreement has been performed when the ink container IS on which the cleaning operation has been performed is classified as a compatible part, it may decide to bill the cooperating company PA for the cleaning cost CC. In this form, the manufacturer MA can collect the cost of cleaning compatible parts from the cooperating company PA by billing them for the cleaning cost. This allows the manufacturer MA to deter fraud by the cooperating company PA. This applies not only to cleaning operations on compatible parts, but also to cleaning operations on genuine parts from other companies without a contract; the cleaning cost CC may be billed to the cooperating company PA in the same way.

[0092] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, in the cleaning system 10, the cleaning device 100 monitors the operating status of the cleaning operation, including at least one of the number of times the cleaning operation is performed and the operating time of the cleaning operation, and transmits this information to the management device 300 via the cleaning control device 200. In this configuration, the management device 300 can mechanically calculate the number of ink containers IS to be cleaned using the operating status of the cleaning operation. As a result, the manufacturer MA can easily grasp the cleaning results of the ink containers IS, such as the number of ink containers IS to be cleaned, from the minimum necessary information of the operating status of the cleaning operation.

[0093] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, in the cleaning system 10, the cleaning operation status, including at least one of the number of cleaning operations performed and the operating time of the cleaning operations, is monitored in the cleaning device 100 and transmitted to the management device 300 via the cleaning control device 200. In this configuration, the management device 300 can calculate the cleaning cost CC for a specific period based on a specific quantity correlated with the cleaning operation status. As a result, the producer MA can have the cooperating company PA perform the cleaning of the ink containers IS on their behalf by paying the calculated cleaning cost CC to the cooperating company PA, while deterring fraud by the cooperating company PA. In addition, the cooperating company PA can earn revenue by receiving the cleaning cost CC from the producer MA.

[0094] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, the management device 300 calculates the cleaning costs for the company's own products and the cleaning costs for other companies' products, respectively. When the ink container IS on which the cleaning operation has been performed is classified as the company's own genuine product, the management device 300 determines that the billing for the cleaning costs for the company's own products should be directed to the manufacturer MA. In this configuration, the manufacturer MA pays the cleaning costs for its own products to the cooperating company PA, allowing the cooperating company PA to earn revenue corresponding to the cleaning of its own genuine products. On the other hand, when the ink container IS on which the cleaning operation has been performed is classified as another company's genuine product, the management device 300 determines that the billing for the cleaning costs for other companies' products should be directed to the cooperating company PA. In this configuration, the manufacturer MA can collect the cleaning costs for other companies' products from the cooperating company PA by billing them for the cleaning costs. This allows the manufacturer MA to protect the environment by continuing the cleaning of the ink container IS without interruption, while offsetting the costs associated with cleaning other companies' genuine products by receiving the cleaning costs for other companies' products from the cooperating company PA.

[0095] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, if an ink container IS on which a cleaning operation has been performed is classified as a compatible product, the management device 300 can automatically output a warning. In this configuration, the manufacturer MA can quickly ascertain the possibility that a compatible product has been cleaned by the cooperating company PA. This can be used to process the ink container IS according to its classification, such as stopping the cleaning operation for compatible products, calculating the cost of cleaning compatible products, and determining who will be billed.

[0096] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, the cooperating company PA can borrow the cleaning device 100 and cleaning control device 200 from the manufacturer MA free of charge by concluding a cooperation agreement with the manufacturer MA. In this configuration, the cooperating company PA can clean the ink container IS without requiring any capital investment to install the cleaning device 100 and cleaning control device 200. Moreover, by enabling the use of the cleaning device 100 to clean genuine products from other companies with which it has a contract, the cleaning business can be efficiently expanded.

[0097] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, the cooperating company PA can receive the supply of material PT used when cleaning the ink container IS from the manufacturer MA by concluding a cooperation agreement with the manufacturer MA. In this configuration, the cooperating company PA does not need to prepare the material PT used when cleaning the ink container IS. Therefore, the cooperating company PA can clean the ink container IS without requiring production equipment or materials to produce the material PT.

[0098] Furthermore, the cleaning system 10 only needs to have a function that allows the cleaning operation of the cleaning device 100 when the device identification information received from the cleaning control device 200 matches the device identification information stored in the management device 300; it is not essential that it has any other functions.

[0099] B. Second Embodiment: Figure 20 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cleaning device 100a in the second embodiment. Figure 21 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cleaning control device 200a in the second embodiment. Figure 22 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management device 300a in the second embodiment. For example, if the ink container IS to be exported from country C1 to country C2 is made of plastic, depending on the degree of cleaning of the ink container IS, it may be judged as plastic waste as defined in HS code 3915, etc. If the ink container IS to be exported is judged to be plastic waste, it may be subject to regulations under environmental regulatory treaties such as the Basel Convention, and it may not be possible to export the ink container IS from country C1 to country C2. Therefore, in this embodiment, a warning is output according to the degree of cleaning of the ink container IS after cleaning. Other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment. Components the same as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0100] As shown in Figure 22, the memory 330a of the management device 300a includes a program storage means 331a, an identification information storage means 332, a classification storage means 333, a performance storage means 334, and a cleanliness storage means 335.

[0101] The cleanliness level storage means 335 stores the cleanliness threshold of the ink container IS that complies with environmental regulations.

[0102] The processor 310a of the management device 300a further functions as a cleaning level determination means 319 and a warning output means 316a by executing a program stored in the program storage means 331a of the memory 330a.

[0103] The cleanliness determination means 319 obtains the cleanliness of the ink container IS after cleaning and determines whether the obtained cleanliness is equal to or greater than the cleanliness predetermined in accordance with the Environmental Regulation Convention. The cleanliness is, for example, the transparency of the ink container IS. The cleanliness may also be the coloring state of the ink container IS, the transmittance when light is irradiated onto the ink container IS, or the purity of the cleaning water, such as the color and pH, when the ink container IS is cleaned. When the cleanliness of the ink container IS is determined by the transparency or coloring state of the ink container IS, the cleanliness determination means 319 obtains the cleanliness of the ink container IS by, for example, analyzing the image obtained by imaging the ink container IS with an imaging device. When the cleanliness of the ink container IS is determined by the transmittance of the ink container IS, the cleanliness determination means 319 obtains the cleanliness of the ink container IS by, for example, obtaining the output result of a sensor capable of measuring transmittance, such as a haze meter. If the cleanliness of the ink container IS is determined by the color of the wash water, the cleanliness determination means 319 obtains the cleanliness of the ink container IS by obtaining the output result of a sensor capable of measuring the color of the wash water, such as a colorimeter or a spectrophotometer. If the cleanliness of the ink container IS is determined by the pH of the wash water, the cleanliness determination means 319 obtains the cleanliness of the ink container IS by obtaining the output result of a sensor capable of measuring the pH of the wash water, such as a pH meter.

[0104] If the cleanliness of the ink container IS falls below a predetermined cleanliness level, the warning output means 316a outputs a warning.

[0105] As shown in Figure 20, the monitoring device 130a of the cleaning device 100a further includes a measuring device 133 for obtaining the degree of cleaning of the ink container IS after cleaning. The measuring device 133 is, for example, an imaging device capable of capturing images of the appearance of the ink container IS, a sensor capable of measuring the transmittance of the ink container IS, and a sensor capable of measuring the pH and color of the cleaning water.

[0106] As shown in Figure 21, the processor 210a of the cleaning control device 200a further functions as a measurement result transmission means 216 by executing a program stored in the program storage means 231a of the memory 230a. The measurement result transmission means 216 transmits the measurement results from the measuring device 133 to the management device 300a.

[0107] Figure 23 is a flowchart showing the cleaning management method for the ink container IS in the second embodiment. In this embodiment, after the cleaning process, the cleaning degree determination step S3 is performed. In the cleaning degree determination step, it is determined whether the cleaning degree of the ink container IS after cleaning is equal to or greater than a predetermined cleaning degree. After the cleaning degree determination step, the warning output step S6a is performed. In the warning output step, a warning is output according to the cleaning degree of the ink container IS.

[0108] Figure 24 is a flowchart detailing the cleaning degree determination method in the second embodiment. The cleaning degree determination step is started, for example, when the cleaning process is completed. In step S301, the imaging device, which is the measuring device 133 of the cleaning device 100, images the ink container IS after cleaning. As a result, the measuring device 133 acquires an image including the ink container IS after cleaning. In step S302, the measuring device 133 transmits the image to the cleaning control device 200a. In step S303, the measurement result transmission means 216 of the cleaning control device 200a transmits the acquired image to the management device 300. In step S304, the cleaning degree determination means 319 of the management device 300a obtains the cleaning degree of the ink container IS by analyzing the image. If step S305 is "Yes", that is, if the cleaning degree of the ink container IS is greater than or equal to the threshold stored in the cleaning degree storage means 335, step S306 is executed. In step S306, the cleanliness determination means 319 determines that the cleanliness of the ink container IS is equal to or greater than a predetermined cleanliness level and classifies it as a good product. If step S305 is "No", that is, if the cleanliness of the ink container IS is less than the threshold stored in the cleanliness storage means 335, step S307 is executed. In step S307, the cleanliness determination means 319 determines that the cleanliness of the ink container IS is less than a predetermined cleanliness level and classifies it as a bad product.

[0109] Figure 25 is a flowchart detailing the warning output process in the second embodiment. If step S601a is "Yes," that is, if the ink container IS is classified as a defective product because its cleanliness is below a predetermined cleanliness level, step S602a is executed. In step S602a, the warning output means 316a determines that the cleanliness of the ink container IS may not comply with the environmental regulations treaty and outputs a warning via the notification device 370. If step S601a is "No," that is, if the ink container IS is classified as a satisfactory product because its cleanliness is equal to or greater than a predetermined cleanliness level, the following process is executed. In this case, the cleanliness determination means 319 determines that there is a high probability that the cleanliness of the ink container IS complies with the environmental regulations treaty and terminates this flow without outputting a warning.

[0110] According to the second embodiment described above, the control device 300a owned by producer MA can acquire the cleanliness level of the ink container IS and determine whether the cleanliness level of the ink container IS is above a predetermined level. In this configuration, producer MA can manage cooperating company PA after understanding the cleanliness level of the ink container IS. This enables producer MA, which has a business establishment in country C2, to import ink container IS that conforms to environmental regulations from country C1.

[0111] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment described above, the management device 300a can determine whether the cleanliness of the ink container IS is equal to or greater than the cleanliness predetermined in accordance with the environmental regulation treaty by comparing the cleanliness of the ink container IS obtained from the measurement results of the measuring device 133 with the cleanliness threshold stored in the cleanliness storage means 335. With this configuration, it is easy to determine whether or not the cleanliness of the ink container IS conforms to the environmental regulation treaty.

[0112] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment described above, a warning can be issued if the cleanliness of the ink container IS falls below a predetermined cleanliness level. With this configuration, the possibility of the cleaned ink container IS becoming non-compliant with environmental regulations when exported from country C1 to country C2 can be further reduced.

[0113] C. Third Embodiment: Figure 26 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device 300b in the third embodiment. As described above, the production company MA supplies the component PT used for cleaning the ink container IS to the cooperating company PA. In order to supply the appropriate quantity of component PT to the cooperating company PA at the appropriate time, it is preferable for the production company MA to be able to grasp the quantity of component PT used and the inventory quantity of component PT at the cooperating company PA. Therefore, in this embodiment, the quantity of component PT used according to the operating status of the cleaning operation is identified, and the quantity of component PT to be newly supplied to the cooperating company PA is calculated. The other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment. Components the same as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0114] The memory 330b of the management device 300b includes a program storage means 331b, an identification information storage means 332, a classification storage means 333, a performance storage means 334, a required quantity storage means 336, and a supply quantity storage means 337.

[0115] The required quantity storage means 336 stores the required quantity of components. The required quantity of components is the quantity of components PT required for cleaning the ink container IS. The required quantity of components correlates with at least one of the number of times the cleaning operation is performed during a specific period and the operating time of the cleaning operation during that specific period. For example, the required quantity storage means 336 pre-stores a correlation table that shows the required quantity of components for each type of component PT according to the operating status of the cleaning operation.

[0116] The supply quantity storage means 337 stores the quantity of component PT supplied from producer MA to cooperating company PA.

[0117] The processor 310b of the management device 300b further functions as a quantity identification means 320 and a supply quantity calculation means 321 by executing a program stored in the program storage means 331b of the memory 330b.

[0118] The quantity identification means 320 identifies the quantity of component PT used when cleaning the ink container IS, based on the operating status of the cleaning operation received from the operating status transmission means 215 and the required component quantity stored in the required component storage means 336. In other words, while genuine parts are used as a general rule, if there is a contract with another company, products from other companies are also included. The quantity of component PT identified by the quantity identification means 320 is the quantity of component PT used estimated from the operating status of the cleaning operation and the required component quantity. For example, the quantity identification means 320 obtains the required component quantity corresponding to the operating status of the cleaning operation received from the operating status transmission means 215 by referring to a correlation table stored in the required component storage means 336. This allows the quantity identification means 320 to identify the quantity of component PT used when cleaning the ink container IS.

[0119] The supply quantity calculation means 321 calculates the quantity of component PT to be newly supplied to the cooperating business PA based on the quantity of component PT identified by the quantity identification means 320 and the supply quantity of component PT stored in the supply quantity storage means 337.

[0120] Figure 27 is a flowchart showing the cleaning management method for the ink container IS in the third embodiment. In this embodiment, the quantity identification step of step S7 is performed after the cleaning step. The quantity calculation step, the classification step, and the quantity identification step may be performed in any order. In the quantity identification step, the quantity of material PT to be used is identified. After the quantity identification step, the supply quantity calculation step of step S8 is performed. In the supply quantity calculation step, the quantity of material PT to be newly supplied to the cooperating business PA is calculated.

[0121] Figure 28 is a flowchart detailing the quantity identification process in the third embodiment. The quantity identification process is initiated, for example, when the cleaning process is completed. In step S701, the quantity identification means 320 of the management device 300b accesses the correlation table stored in the required quantity storage means 336. In step S702, the quantity identification means 320 obtains the required quantity of each type of component PT from the correlation table, corresponding to the operating status of the cleaning operation. This allows the quantity identification means 320 to identify the quantity of each type of component PT used when cleaning the ink container IS.

[0122] Figure 29 is a flowchart detailing the supply quantity calculation process in the third embodiment. The supply quantity calculation process is started, for example, when both the quantity calculation process and the quantity identification process are completed. In step S801, the supply quantity calculation means 321 of the management device 300b subtracts the quantity of material PT used, as identified by the quantity identification means 320, from the supply quantity of material PT stored in the supply quantity storage means 337. This allows the supply quantity calculation means 321 to identify the inventory quantity of material PT at the end of the first period. In step S802, the supply quantity calculation means 321 calculates the difference between the required material quantity according to the production plan for the second period following the first period and the inventory quantity of material PT at the end of the first period as the quantity of material PT to be newly supplied to the cooperating business PA.

[0123] According to the third embodiment described above, the quantity of component PT to be newly supplied to the cooperating company PA can be calculated from the minimum necessary information, such as the operating status of the cleaning operation. In other words, the transmission and reception functions of the cleaning device 100 can be minimized. This reduces the cost of the devices 100 and 200 lent to the cooperating company PA, thereby reducing the production cost of refill products RP. Furthermore, the production company MA can supply the appropriate quantity of component PT to the cooperating company PA at the appropriate time. Thus, the production company MA can continuously develop its cyclical refill business.

[0124] Furthermore, according to the third embodiment described above, in the cleaning system 10, the cleaning device 100 monitors the operating status of the cleaning operation, including at least one of the number of times the cleaning operation is performed and the operating time of the cleaning operation, and transmits this information to the management device 300b via the cleaning control device 200. The management device 300b stores the required quantity of materials for a specific period. In this configuration, the management device 300b can mechanically determine the quantity of material PT used when cleaning the ink container IS based on the operating status of the cleaning operation and the required quantity of materials. This allows the manufacturer MA to quickly determine the quantity of material PT used to clean the ink container IS without waiting for a report from the cooperating company PA. Therefore, the manufacturer MA can supply the cooperating company PA with the appropriate quantity of material PT at the appropriate time.

[0125] D. Fourth Embodiment: Figure 30 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device 300c in the fourth embodiment. If a cooperating company PA cleans genuine or compatible products from another company, a difference may occur between the first number of cleaned items and the second number of cleaned items. The first number of cleaned items is the number of ink containers IS cleaned, calculated using the number of times the cleaning operation is performed during a specific period. Therefore, basically, the number of executions can be considered as the number of genuine products cleaned. The second number of cleaned items is the number of ink containers IS cleaned, calculated using the operating time of the cleaning operation during a specific period. If a difference of more than a predetermined amount occurs between the first number of cleaned items and the second number of cleaned items, it is possible that the cooperating company PA has committed some kind of misconduct when cleaning the ink containers IS, such as cleaning genuine, compatible, or counterfeit products from another company that have not been approved by the manufacturer MA. Also, if a problem occurs when cleaning the ink containers IS, such as when cleaning the ink containers IS is temporarily suspended due to a malfunction of the cleaning device 100, a difference may occur between the first number of cleaned items and the second number of cleaned items. Therefore, if there is a difference of more than a predetermined amount between the first number of items to be washed and the second number of items to be washed, it is possible that some kind of trouble occurred when washing the ink container IS, against the will of the cooperating company PA. In this embodiment, a warning is issued when the difference between the first number of items to be washed and the second number of items to be washed exceeds a predetermined allowable range. The other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment. Components the same as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0126] The processor 310c of the management device 300c executes the program stored in the program storage means 331c of the memory 330c, and further functions as a first counting means 315m, a second counting means 315n, and a warning output means 316c.

[0127] The first count calculation means 315m calculates the number of ink containers IS that have been cleaned during a specific period, using the number of cleaning operations performed during that period received from the operating status transmission means 215, as the first cleaning count. In other words, the first cleaning count is the number of ink containers IS that have been cleaned estimated from the number of cleaning operations performed. In this embodiment, the first count calculation means 315m calculates the first cleaning count using the number of cleaning operations performed on the company's own genuine ink containers IS. In this case, the product identification information for the company's genuine products is read, and then the number of cleaning operations is counted.

[0128] The second count calculation means 315n calculates the number of ink containers IS cleaned during a specific period as the second clean count, using the operating time of the cleaning operation during a specific period received from the operating status transmission means 215. In other words, the second clean count is the number of ink containers IS cleaned estimated from the operating time of the cleaning operation. In this embodiment, the second count calculation means 315n calculates the second clean count using the operating time of the cleaning operation for ink containers IS that include not only the company's own genuine products but also genuine products and compatible products from other companies.

[0129] Furthermore, the first quantity calculation means 315m may calculate the first number of washed ink containers IS using the number of times the cleaning operation is performed on ink containers IS, including not only the company's own genuine products but also genuine products from other companies in the case of a contract with another company. In this case, the second quantity calculation means 315n can calculate the second number of washed ink containers using the operating time of the cleaning operation on the company's own genuine products, thereby enabling adjustments to be made if discrepancies occur.

[0130] If the difference between the first number of units washed and the second number of units washed exceeds a predetermined tolerance range, the warning output means 316c outputs a warning. For example, the tolerance range may be a fixed value or a variable value set according to the first and second production quantities. If the tolerance range is a fixed value, it may be, for example, within 10 units or within 5 units. If the tolerance range is a variable value, it may be, for example, within 10% of the average value of the first and second production quantities or within 5% of the average value. Note that the more ink containers IS are washed, the higher the possibility of a difference between the first and second number of units washed. Therefore, the tolerance range may be adjusted, for example, according to the planned washing quantity. Alternatively, the second number of units washed may be read as time, and the time may be calculated from the first number calculation means 315m and the times may be compared.

[0131] Figure 31 is a flowchart illustrating the cleaning management method for ink containers IS in the fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown below, a classification step is performed after the cleaning step, and after the classification step, the quantity calculation step in step S4c is performed. In the quantity calculation step, the first cleaning quantity and the second cleaning quantity are calculated. After the quantity calculation step, the warning output step in step S6c is performed. In the warning output step, a warning is output according to the difference between the first cleaning quantity and the second cleaning quantity.

[0132] Figure 32 is a flowchart detailing the counting process in the fourth embodiment. In step S401c, the first counting means 315m of the management device 300c refers to the business management table TV stored in the performance storage means 334 to obtain the total number of times the cleaning operation was performed during a specific period. In step S402c, the first counting means 315m uses the total number of times the cleaning operation was performed during the specific period to calculate the number of ink containers IS to be cleaned, and sets this as the first number of cleaned items. If the cleaning operation is performed only on the company's own genuine products, the first number of cleaned items should be equal to the number of genuine products to be cleaned. In step S403c, the second counting means 315n of the management device 300c refers to the business management table TV stored in the performance storage means 334 to obtain the total operating time of the cleaning operation during a specific period. In step S404c, the second counting means 315n uses the total operating time of the cleaning operation during the specific period to calculate the number of ink containers IS to be cleaned, and sets this as the second number of cleaned items. For example, if all operating time is spent cleaning the company's own genuine parts, the resulting number could be considered the second production quantity.

[0133] Figure 33 is a flowchart detailing the warning output process in the fourth embodiment. In step S601b, the warning output means 316c of the management device 300c calculates the difference between the first number of items to be washed and the second number of items to be washed. If step S602b is "Yes", that is, if the difference between the first number of items to be washed and the second number of items to be washed exceeds the acceptable range, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the washing system 10, and step S603b is executed. In step S603b, the warning output means 316c determines that there is a possibility that the cooperating business PA has committed fraud, such as washing genuine products from other companies, compatible products, or counterfeit products that were not intended by the manufacturer MA, or that a problem has occurred, and outputs a warning via the notification device 370. The warning output by the notification device 370 is, for example, text information indicating that an abnormality has occurred. If step S602b is "No", that is, if the difference between the first number of items to be washed and the second number of items to be washed is within the acceptable range, the warning output means 316c does the following. In this case, the warning output means 316c determines that the state is normal and terminates the flow without outputting a warning.

[0134] According to the fourth embodiment described above, the first number of units to be cleaned is the number of times the cleaning operation is performed during a specific period, and is the number of ink containers IS to be cleaned calculated using the number of times the cleaning operation is performed on the company's own genuine products. The second number of units to be cleaned is the operating time of the cleaning operation during the same period as when the first number of units to be cleaned is the number of ink containers IS to be cleaned calculated using the operating time of the cleaning operation on ink containers IS, including genuine products and compatible products from other companies. Therefore, if there is a possibility that fraud has occurred or a problem has occurred at the cooperating company PA when cleaning the ink containers IS, a difference may occur between the first number of units to be cleaned and the second number of units to be cleaned. In response to this, if the difference between the first number of units to be cleaned and the second number of units to be cleaned exceeds the acceptable range, the management device 300c can automatically output a warning. With this configuration, the production company MA can quickly grasp the possibility that fraud has occurred or a problem has occurred at the cooperating company PA. This can be used to process the ink containers IS according to their classification, such as stopping the cleaning operation for compatible products, calculating the cost of cleaning compatible products, and determining who will be billed.

[0135] E. Fifth Embodiment: Figure 34 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management device 300d in the fifth embodiment. When the ink containers IS are cleaned without any fraud or trouble, the number of ink containers IS that are cleaned has a positive correlation with the operating status of the cleaning operation. Therefore, if fraud occurs or trouble occurs at the cooperating business PA, the following differences may occur. In this case, there may be a difference between the number of ink containers IS that are cleaned during a specific period calculated by the number calculation means 315 and the number of ink containers IS that are cleaned during a specific period reported by the cooperating business PA via the input device 260, etc. Furthermore, when the ink containers IS are cleaned without any fraud or trouble, the quantity of material PT used during a specific period has a positive correlation with the operating status of the cleaning operation during that period. When the ink containers IS are cleaned without any fraud or trouble, the inventory quantity of material PT during a specific period has a negative correlation with the operating status of the cleaning operation during that period. Based on the above, even if the company's own genuine product is used for the ink containers IS, if the ink containers IS are cleaned using material other than the material PT supplied by the manufacturer MA, the following differences may occur. In this case, there may be a difference between the quantity of material PT used during a specific period as determined by the quantity determination means 320 and the quantity of material PT used during a specific period as reported by the cooperating business PA to the production business MA via the input device 260, etc. There may also be a difference between the inventory quantity of material PT at the end of a specific period as determined by the quantity determination means 320 and the inventory quantity of material PT during a specific period as reported by the cooperating business PA to the production business MA via the input device 260, etc. Thus, if there is a difference of more than a predetermined amount between the specified quantity calculated by each functional unit 315, 320 of the management device 300d and the quantity reported by the cooperating business PA regarding the quantity of material PT used, inventory quantity, or the number of ink containers IS cleaned, the following possibilities exist. In this case, there is a possibility that the cooperating business PA committed fraud or that a problem occurred when cleaning the ink containers IS. Therefore, in this embodiment, a warning is output when the difference between the specified quantity calculated by each functional unit 315, 320 of the management device 300d and the quantity reported by the cooperating business PA exceeds the acceptable range.The other components are the same as in the third embodiment. Components similar to those in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0136] The processor 310d of the management device 300d further functions as a warning output means 316d by executing a program stored in the program storage means 331d of the memory 330d.

[0137] If the difference between the specific quantity calculated by each functional unit 315, 320 of the management device 300d and the quantity declared by the cooperating business operator PA exceeds the permissible range, the warning output means 316d outputs a warning.

[0138] Figure 35 is a flowchart showing a first example of the warning output process in the fifth embodiment. In step S601c, the warning output means 316d of the management device 300d performs the following process. The warning output means 316d calculates the difference between the number of ink containers IS cleaned during a specific period calculated by the number calculation means 315 and the number of ink containers IS cleaned during a specific period reported by the cooperating business PA. If step S602c is "Yes", that is, if the calculated difference exceeds the acceptable range, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the cleaning system 10, and step S603c is executed. In step S603c, the warning output means 316d determines that there is a possibility that the cooperating business PA has committed fraud or that a problem has occurred, and outputs a warning via the notification device 370. If step S602c is "No", that is, if the calculated difference is within the acceptable range, the warning output means 316d does the following. In this case, the warning output means 316d determines that the situation is normal, i.e., that the possibility of fraud or trouble occurring at the cooperating company PA is low, and terminates this flow without issuing a warning.

[0139] Figure 36 is a flowchart showing a second example of the warning output process in the fifth embodiment. In step S601d, the warning output means 316d of the management device 300d performs the following process. The warning output means 316d calculates the difference between the quantity of material PT used during a specific period identified by the quantity identification means 320 and the quantity of material PT used during a specific period reported by the cooperating business PA to the production business MA. If step S602d is "Yes", that is, if the calculated difference exceeds the acceptable range, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the cleaning system 10, and step S603d is executed. In step S603d, the warning output means 316d determines that there is a possibility that the cooperating business PA has committed fraud or that a problem has occurred, and outputs a warning via the notification device 370. If step S602d is "No", that is, if the calculated difference is within the acceptable range, the warning output means 316d does the following. In this case, the warning output means 316d determines that the situation is normal, i.e., that the possibility of fraud or trouble occurring at the cooperating company PA is low, and terminates this flow without issuing a warning.

[0140] Figure 37 is a flowchart showing a third example of the warning output process in the fifth embodiment. In step S601e, the warning output means 316d of the management device 300d performs the following process. The warning output means 316d calculates the difference between the inventory quantity of component PT at the end of a specific period identified by the supply quantity calculation means 321 and the inventory quantity of component PT at the end of a specific period declared by the cooperating business PA. If step S602e is "Yes", that is, if the calculated difference exceeds the acceptable range, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the cleaning system 10, and step S603e is executed. In step S603f, the warning output means 316d determines that there is a possibility that the cooperating business PA has committed fraud or that a problem has occurred, and outputs a warning via the notification device 370. If step S602e is "No", that is, if the calculated difference is within the acceptable range, the warning output means 316d does the following. In this case, the warning output means 316d determines that the situation is normal, i.e., that the possibility of fraud or trouble occurring at the cooperating company PA is low, and terminates this flow without issuing a warning.

[0141] According to the fifth embodiment described above, the management device 300d can determine whether there is any fraud or trouble at the cooperating business PA by comparing the quantity declared by the cooperating business PA with a specific quantity calculated by the management device 300d, and can then output a warning.

[0142] F. Sixth Embodiment: Figure 38 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management device 300e in the sixth embodiment. The component PT used for cleaning the ink containers IS is supplied from the production company MA to the cooperating company PA according to the planned cleaning quantity. The cooperating company PA then cleans the number of ink containers IS according to the planned cleaning quantity. Therefore, if the ink containers IS are cleaned without any fraud or trouble, the quantity of component PT used during a specific period will roughly match the quantity of component PT supplied from the production company MA to the cooperating company PA. Therefore, if fraud occurs or trouble occurs at the cooperating company PA, the following discrepancies may arise. In this case, there may be a difference between the quantity of component PT used during a specific period as identified by the quantity identification means 320 and the quantity of component PT supplied from the production company MA to the cooperating company PA according to the planned cleaning quantity. Therefore, in this embodiment, a warning is output when the difference between the quantity of component PT used during a specific period as identified by the quantity identification means 320 and the quantity of component PT supplied to the cooperating company PA for production during that period exceeds an acceptable range. The other configurations are the same as in the third embodiment. Components similar to those in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0143] The processor 310e of the management device 300e further functions as a warning output means 316e by executing a program stored in the program storage means 331e of the memory 330e.

[0144] If the difference between the quantity of component PT used during a specific period as identified by the quantity identification means 320 and the quantity of component PT supplied to the cooperating business PA for production during that period exceeds an acceptable range, the warning output means 316e outputs a warning.

[0145] Figure 39 is a flowchart detailing the warning output process in the sixth embodiment. In step S601f, the warning output means 316e of the management device 300e performs the following process. The warning output means 316e calculates the difference between the quantity of material PT used during a specific period identified by the quantity identification means 320 and the quantity of material PT supplied during that specific period from the quantity of material PT stored in the supply quantity storage means 337. If step S602f is "Yes," that is, if the calculated difference exceeds the acceptable range, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the cleaning system 10, and step S603f is executed. In step S603f, the warning output means 316e determines that there is a possibility that the cooperating business PA has committed fraud or that a problem has occurred, and outputs a warning via the notification device 370. If step S602f is "No," that is, if the calculated difference is within the acceptable range, the warning output means 316e does the following. In this case, the warning output means 316e determines that the situation is normal, i.e., that the possibility of fraud or trouble occurring at the cooperating company PA is low, and terminates this flow without issuing a warning.

[0146] According to the sixth embodiment described above, the management device 300e can determine whether there are any irregularities or troubles at the cooperating business PA by comparing the quantity of material PT used during a specific period with the quantity of material PT supplied during a specific period, and can output a warning.

[0147] G. Other embodiments: G-1. Other Embodiments 1: The management devices 300, 300a-300e may further include an anomaly detection means and an anomaly processing means. The anomaly detection means uses the monitoring results from the monitoring devices 130, 130a to detect when an anomaly has occurred in the operation of the cleaning devices 100, 100a. The anomaly processing means executes processing for the anomaly when the anomaly detection means detects that an anomaly has occurred in the operation of the cleaning devices 100, 100a. The anomaly processing means executes at least one of the following processes: a first process, a second process, and a third process. The first process is to notify at least one of the producer MA and the cooperating business PA that an anomaly may have occurred. In the first process, the anomaly processing means may also notify the content of the anomaly and the expected solution. The second process is to notify the producer MA that personnel need to be dispatched to the cooperating business PA's premises. In the second process, the anomaly processing means mechanically determines whether personnel dispatch is necessary according to the content of the anomaly. In the second process, the abnormality handling means may display an inquiry screen on the display device of the cleaning control devices 200 and 200a to ask the cooperating business PA whether or not personnel dispatch is necessary, and may determine whether or not personnel dispatch is necessary based on the input content of the cooperating business PA via the input device 260. The third process is the process of calculating the amount of compensation to be paid to the cooperating business PA according to the losses incurred due to the abnormality. In the third process, the abnormality handling means calculates the compensation amount according to, for example, the downtime of the cleaning devices 100 and 100a due to the abnormality. With this configuration, if an abnormality occurs in the operation of the cleaning devices 100 and 100a, the production business MA or cooperating business PA can be made to execute a process to resolve the abnormality. The production business MA may resolve the abnormality by remotely operating the cleaning devices 100 and 100a via the input device 260.

[0148] G-2. Other Embodiments 2: The management devices 300, 300a-300e may further include guidance means. The guidance means prompts the cooperating business PA to perform maintenance on the cleaning devices 100, 100a according to the operating status of the cleaning operation. For example, if the cleaning operation is performed continuously for more than a predetermined number of times, the guidance means displays a message prompting maintenance of the cleaning devices 100, 100a on the display device of the cleaning control devices 200, 200a. If the cleaning operation is performed continuously for more than a predetermined time, the guidance means generates a buzzer sound from the voice generator of the cleaning control devices 200, 200a prompting maintenance of the cleaning devices 100, 100a. With this configuration, the possibility of malfunction occurring in the cleaning devices 100, 100a can be reduced. This prevents a decrease in the cleaning efficiency of the ink container IS due to a malfunction in the cleaning devices 100, 100a.

[0149] G-3. Other Embodiments 3: The production operator MA may provide incentives to the cooperating company PA regarding cleaning costs CC, depending on the operating status of the cleaning operation. For example, the production operator MA may set a higher cleaning cost CC the more ink container IS are produced. In this case, the cost calculation means 317 may calculate the cleaning cost CC by determining a coefficient according to the operating status of the cleaning operation over a specific period, and multiplying each term of the calculation formula by the determined coefficient. Alternatively, the production operator MA may set a higher cleaning cost CC the longer the continuous use period of the leased equipment 100,200. In this case, the cost calculation means 317 may calculate the cleaning cost CC by obtaining the continuous use period of the leased equipment 100,200, determining a coefficient according to the obtained continuous use period, and multiplying each term of the calculation formula by the determined coefficient. This configuration can promote the cleaning of ink container IS.

[0150] G-4. Other Embodiments 4: The cooperating company PA may purchase the cleaning devices 100, 100a and cleaning control devices 200, 200a from the manufacturer MA, thereby providing the cleaning devices 100, 100a and cleaning control devices 200, 200a to the cooperating company PA. Even in this configuration, the manufacturer MA can use networks N1 and N2 to have the cooperating company PA clean the ink containers IS under the management of the manufacturer MA.

[0151] G-5. Other Embodiments 5: If the same operation is performed multiple times on the same ink container IS, the operation status transmission means 215 may transmit the number of times the cleaning operation is performed to the management devices 300, 300a-300e with supplementary information indicating that the same operation was performed multiple times. In this configuration, even if the same operation is performed multiple times on the same ink container IS, such as when the cleaning operation is performed multiple times on the same ink container IS depending on the degree of cleaning of the ink container IS, the management devices 300, 300a-300e can use the operation status of the cleaning operation to more accurately calculate or specify specific quantities such as the number of ink container IS to be cleaned and the number of components PT used, as well as the cleaning cost CC.

[0152] G-6. Other Embodiments 6: At least some of the functions of the cleaning devices 100 and 100a may be implemented by the cleaning control devices 200 and 200a. At least some of the functions of the cleaning control devices 200 and 200a may be implemented by the cleaning devices 100 and 100a, or by the management devices 300, 300a-300e. In this configuration, the configuration of the cleaning system 10 can be changed as appropriate.

[0153] G-7. Other Embodiments 7: The above technology is applicable not only to consumables associated with the use of the printing device 900, such as ink containers IS, but also to the collection, cleaning, and reuse of refillable containers. In other words, the contents contained in the container may not be ink IN, but may be, for example, detergent. When the application of the above technology is to a container other than an ink container IS, the expression "ink container" in this disclosure may be replaced with "container" as appropriate, and the expression "ink" may be replaced with "contents" as appropriate. In this form, the versatility of the cleaning system 10 can be improved.

[0154] G-8. Other Embodiments 8: In the above embodiment, some of the configurations implemented by hardware may be replaced with software, and at least some of the configurations implemented by software may be implemented by hardware such as circuit configurations.

[0155] H. Other forms: This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various configurations without departing from its spirit. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described in the summary of the invention can be replaced or combined as appropriate in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

[0156] (1) According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a cleaning system is provided. The cleaning system comprises a cleaning device that performs a cleaning operation on a container, a control device that controls the cleaning operation of the cleaning device, and a management device that manages the control device, wherein the control device and the management device are able to communicate via a network. According to this embodiment, the cleaning system can use the network to have other businesses clean the containers under the control of the producer. This allows the producer to manage other businesses in accordance with the environmental regulation convention, thereby enabling the export of containers compliant with the environmental regulation convention from country 1 to country 2, and the production of refill products in country 2.

[0157] (2) In the above configuration, the control device may include identification information transmission means for transmitting identification information to the management device, and the management device may include identification information storage means for storing the identification information of the control device in advance, and permission signal transmission means for authorizing the control device to perform the cleaning operation of the cleaning device when the identification information received from the identification information transmission means matches the identification information stored in the identification information storage means. According to this configuration, the cleaning system can authorize the cleaning operation of a cleaning device owned by another business operator when the identification information received from a control device owned by another business operator matches the identification information stored in a management device owned by the manufacturer. As a result, the cleaning system can use a network to have other businesses clean containers under the management of the manufacturer. As a result, the manufacturer can manage other businesses in accordance with the Environmental Regulation Convention, thereby exporting containers compliant with the Environmental Regulation Convention from the first country to the second country and producing refill products in the second country.

[0158] (3) In the above embodiment, the control device further includes an operation status transmission means for transmitting to the management device the operation status of the cleaning operation, which includes at least one of the number of times the cleaning operation is performed during a predetermined period and the operating time of the cleaning operation, and the management device further includes a cost calculation means for calculating the cleaning cost during the period based on a specific quantity that correlates with the operation status of the cleaning operation. According to this embodiment, the cleaning system can calculate the cleaning cost based on a specific quantity that correlates with the operation status of the cleaning operation.

[0159] (4) In the above configuration, the management device may further include a classification means for classifying the containers on which the cleaning operation has been performed during the period into one of the following: the company's own genuine products, another company's genuine products, and compatible products other than the company's own genuine products and the other company's genuine products; and a billing destination determination means for determining who to bill for the cleaning costs according to the classification. In this configuration, the cleaning system can classify the containers on which the cleaning operation has been performed into one of the company's own genuine products, another company's genuine products, or compatible products. When a container is classified as the company's own genuine product, the cleaning system can determine who to bill for the cleaning costs to is the manufacturer. In this configuration, the manufacturer can outsource the cleaning of the containers to another company by paying the cleaning costs to that company. This reduces the burden on the manufacturer in cleaning the containers. Also, when a container is classified as another company's genuine product, the cleaning system can determine who to bill for the cleaning costs to is the other company. In this configuration, the manufacturer can collect cleaning costs from another company by billing that company. This allows manufacturers to protect the environment by continuing to wash containers without interruption, while also offsetting the costs associated with washing other companies' genuine products by receiving washing fees from other businesses.

[0160] (5) In the above configuration, the management device may further include a warning output means that outputs a warning when the container is classified as a compatible product. In this configuration, the cleaning system can output a warning when the container is classified as a compatible product. In this configuration, the manufacturer can quickly find out if there is a possibility that another company has cleaned a compatible product. This can be used to process the container according to its classification, such as stopping the cleaning operation for compatible products and calculating and billing for the cleaning costs of compatible products.

[0161] (6) In the above configuration, the control device may further include a means for determining the cleanliness of the container and determining whether the cleanliness is equal to or equal to a predetermined cleanliness level. In this configuration, the cleaning system can determine whether the cleanliness of the container is equal to or equal to a predetermined cleanliness level. In this configuration, the producer can manage other businesses that clean the containers after understanding the cleanliness of the containers. This allows a producer with a business establishment in a second country to import containers that comply with environmental regulations from a first country.

[0162] (7) In the above embodiment, the control device further includes an operation status transmission means for transmitting the operation status of the cleaning operation, which includes at least one of the number of times the cleaning operation is performed during a predetermined period and the operating time of the cleaning operation, and the control device further includes a quantity storage means for storing a required quantity of components that correlates with at least one of the number of times the cleaning operation is performed during the period and the operating time of the cleaning operation, and a quantity identification means for identifying the quantity of components used when cleaning the container based on the operation status received from the operation status transmission means and the required quantity of components stored in the quantity storage means. According to this embodiment, the cleaning system can identify the quantity of components used when cleaning the container. This allows the cleaning system to have the production company supply the appropriate quantity of components to other businesses that clean the container at the appropriate time.

[0163] (8) In the above embodiment, the control device further includes an operation status transmission means for transmitting the operation status of the cleaning operation, including the number of times the cleaning operation is performed during a predetermined period and the operating time of the cleaning operation, to the management device, and the management device further includes a first number calculation means for calculating the number of containers to be cleaned using the number of times the cleaning operation is performed received from the operation status transmission means, a second number calculation means for calculating the number of containers to be cleaned using the operating time of the cleaning operation received from the operation status transmission means, and a warning output means for outputting a warning when the difference between the number of containers to be cleaned calculated by the first number calculation means and the number of containers to be cleaned calculated by the second number calculation means exceeds a predetermined range. In this embodiment, the cleaning system can output a warning when the difference between the number of containers to be cleaned calculated by the first number calculation means and the number of containers to be cleaned calculated by the second number calculation means exceeds a predetermined range. This allows the cleaning system to notify the producer of any potential misconduct or problems that may have occurred at other businesses cleaning the containers.

[0164] Not all of the components of each form of the present disclosure described above are essential, and it is possible to modify, delete, replace with other new components, or delete some of the limitations of some of the components as appropriate in order to solve some or all of the problems described above or to achieve some or all of the effects described herein. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine some or all of the technical features included in one form of the present disclosure described above with some or all of the technical features included in another form of the present disclosure described above to form an independent form of the present disclosure in order to solve some or all of the problems described above or to achieve some or all of the effects described herein.

[0165] This disclosure can also be implemented in various forms other than a cleaning system. For example, it can be implemented in the form of a cleaning management method for ink containers using a cleaning system, a manufacturing method for a cleaning system, a control method for a cleaning system, a computer program that implements the control method, and a non-temporary recording medium on which the computer program is stored. [Explanation of symbols]

[0166] 1…Resource recycling system, 10…Washing system, 50…Refill system, 100,100a…Washing device, 110…Washing device operation execution device, 120…Washing device reading device, 130,130a…Washing device monitoring device, 131…Counter, 132…Timer, 133…Measuring device, 140…Washing device communication device, 200,200a…Washing control device, 210,210a…Washing control device processor, 211…Identification information transmission means, 212…Plan acquisition means, 213…Identification information acquisition means, 214…Operation control means, 215…Operation status transmission means, 216…Measurement result transmission means, 230,230a…Washing control device memory, 231,231a…Program storage means ,250...Communication device for the cleaning control device,260...Input device for the cleaning control device,270...Notification device for the cleaning control device,300,300a-300e...Management device,310,310a-310e...Processor for the management device,311...Permission signal transmission means,312...Plan transmission means,313...Classification means,314...Performance management means,315...Quantity calculation means,315m...First quantity calculation means,315n...Second quantity calculation means,316,316a,316c-316e...Warning output means,317...Cost calculation means,318...Billing destination determination means,319...Cleaning degree determination means,320...Quantity identification means,321...Supply quantity calculation means,330,330a-330e...Memory for the management device,331,331a-331e...Program storage means, 332...Identification information storage means, 333...Classification storage means, 334...Performance storage means, 335...Washing degree storage means, 336...Required quantity storage means, 337...Supply quantity storage means, 350...Communication device of the management device, 360...Input device of the management device, 370...Notification device of the management device, 500...Refill device, 510...Operation execution device of the refill device, 520...Reading device of the refill device, 530...Monitoring device of the refill device, 540...Communication device of the refill device, 600...Refill control device, 610...Processor of the refill control device, 611...Plan acquisition means, 612...Identification information acquisition means, 613...Type identification means, 614...Component identification means, 61 5...Operation control means, 616...Operation status transmission means, 630...Memory of refill control device, 631...Program storage means, 632...Type storage means, 633...Component storage means, 650...Communication device of refill control device, 660...Input device of refill control device, 670...Notification device of refill control device, 900...Printing device, AS...Accessories, C1...Country 1, C2...Country 2, CC...Cleaning cost, DG...Cleaning agent, IN...Ink, IS...Ink container, MA...Manufacturer, MO...Consideration, N1,N2...Network, NP...New product, PA...Cooperating business, PM...Packaging materials, PT...Component, RP...Refill item, TP...Product management table, TV...Business management table, U...User

Claims

1. A cleaning system, A cleaning device that performs a cleaning operation on a container, A control device for controlling the cleaning operation of the cleaning device, The system comprises a control device for managing the control device, A cleaning system characterized in that the control device and the management device can communicate with each other via a network.

2. A cleaning system according to claim 1, The control device includes identification information transmission means for transmitting identification information to the management device, The management device comprises an identification information storage means for storing identification information of the control device in advance, and a permission signal transmission means for authorizing the control device to perform the cleaning operation of the cleaning device when the identification information received from the identification information transmission means matches the identification information stored in the identification information storage means.

3. A cleaning system according to claim 1, The control device further includes an operating status transmission means for transmitting to the management device the operating status of the cleaning operation, which includes at least one of the number of times the cleaning operation is performed during a predetermined period and the operating time of the cleaning operation. The cleaning system further includes a cost calculation means that calculates the cleaning cost during the period based on a specific quantity that correlates with the operating status of the cleaning operation.

4. A cleaning system according to claim 3, The aforementioned control device further, A classification means for classifying the containers on which the cleaning operation was performed during the aforementioned period into one of the following: the company's genuine products, the other company's genuine products, or compatible products other than the company's genuine products and the other company's genuine products. A cleaning system comprising a billing destination determination means for determining the billing destination for the cleaning costs according to the classification.

5. A cleaning system according to claim 4, The aforementioned control device further, A cleaning system comprising a warning output means that outputs a warning when the container is classified as a compatible product.

6. A cleaning system according to claim 1, The management device further comprises a cleaning system comprising a cleaning degree determination means for acquiring the cleaning degree of the container and determining whether the cleaning degree is equal to or greater than a predetermined cleaning degree.

7. A cleaning system according to claim 1, The control device further includes an operating status transmission means for transmitting to the management device the operating status of the cleaning operation, which includes at least one of the number of times the cleaning operation is performed during a predetermined period and the operating time of the cleaning operation. The aforementioned control device further, A quantity storage means for storing the number of necessary components that correlate with at least one of the number of times the cleaning operation is performed and the operating time of the cleaning operation during the aforementioned period, A cleaning system comprising: a quantity identification means that identifies the quantity of materials used when cleaning the container, based on the operating status received from the operating status transmission means and the required quantity of materials stored in the quantity storage means.

8. A cleaning system according to claim 1, The control device further includes an operating status transmission means for transmitting the operating status of the cleaning operation, including the number of times the cleaning operation is performed during a predetermined period and the operating time of the cleaning operation, to the management device. The aforementioned control device further, A first number calculation means calculates the number of containers to be washed using the number of executions of the washing operation received from the operating status transmission means, A second counting means calculates the number of containers to be washed using the operating time of the washing operation received from the operating status transmission means, A cleaning system comprising: a warning output means that outputs a warning when the difference between the number of containers to be cleaned calculated by the first number calculation means and the number of containers to be cleaned calculated by the second number calculation means exceeds a predetermined range.

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